Marrakech: Cooking class with local chef & market visit

Summary

Moroccan Kitchen Experience with Oumaima & Laila

Shop Marrakech’s bustling markets for fresh produce with Oumaima and Laila, then learn hands-on how to prepare Moroccan classics like chicken tagine and mint tea in their home kitchen. Share laughter over breakfast, enjoy a full meal together, and discover small family traditions you’ll remember long after your trip.

What’s the experience like?

Hands reach for tomatoes — Oumaima’s nails painted a bright red, matching the peppers she’s squeezing. I’m still trying to remember the word for “carrot” in Arabic when Laila laughs and nudges me toward a stall piled high with mint. The market in Marrakech is loud and close, smells of cumin and oranges everywhere. I’d never picked out vegetables with so much care before; Oumaima showed us how to check if the lemons were good enough for tagine, pressing her thumb into the skin just so. She asked about allergies, too — made me feel like we were all about to cook at her own family table.

Back at their kitchen, shoes off, the tiles cool underfoot. We sat down for tea first (I tried pouring it high like they do — not as easy as it looks). The steam smelled sweet and sharp from fresh mint. Breakfast was simple but somehow felt special, maybe because Laila kept topping up my glass every time I set it down. Then came the real work: peeling carrots for the salad, drizzling argan oil over everything, learning to say “ras el hanout” without totally mangling it (Oumaima grinned at my attempt). The chicken tagine sizzled on the stove; someone joked that you could smell saffron halfway down the street.

I didn’t expect dessert to be so light — orange slices dusted with cinnamon, nothing fancy but perfect after all those spices. We ate together around their table, passing plates back and forth while stories drifted between English and French and sometimes Arabic. There was a surprise at the end (I won’t spoil it), but what stuck with me most was how cooking here felt less like a class and more like being let in on something personal. I still think about that kitchen light some evenings — warm and golden on everyone’s faces.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Moroccan Cooking Class and Market Visit

• Meet and check food allergies
• Choose suitable menu
• Buy groceries at market
• Have breakfast and learn Moroccan tea
• Prepare appetizer with Argan Oil
• Cook main course: Chicken or Beef Tagine
• Make dessert
• Enjoy 3-course meal

Top questions

How long does the Marrakech cooking class last?

The cooking class lasts approximately 4 hours.

Is lunch or dinner included in this Moroccan cooking experience?

Yes, you will enjoy either lunch or dinner as part of your experience.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, menus can be adapted for vegetarian or vegan diets after discussing allergies or preferences at the start.

Is this cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Will we visit a local market during the class?

Yes, you’ll accompany your hosts to shop for fresh produce at a nearby market before cooking.

Are infants or small children allowed?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the meeting point.

Will I learn to make Moroccan tea?

Yes, making traditional Moroccan tea is part of the experience before starting to cook.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your local hosts Oumaima and Laila in Marrakech, shopping together at a neighborhood market for ingredients, enjoying breakfast with homemade Moroccan tea, hands-on cooking of an appetizer, main course (like chicken or beef tagine), dessert preparation, plus sharing a full lunch or dinner around their family table before heading out again.